Our Beginning The African American Quilters and Collectors Guild of Denver (AAQ&CG) was founded in May 1988 by Sammie Mae Cross, Rose Shipp, Dorothy Stevens, and Elizabeth Weams. A tea in honor of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr, in January 1988 and an exhibit during Black History Month were the beginning events which paved the way for organizing the AAQ&CG. Since that time, AAQ&CG has made great strides in promoting the art of quilting. The guild is committed to serving the Rocky Mountain Front Range region, wherever our skills are needed. In recent years, quilts have been given special people in the community in recognition of their service to people in need, or to individuals in crisis, as well as to agencies that help the needy and the homeless.
Mission Our mission is to network with other quilters and collectors in order to share information and experiences that enlighten and educate members of the community in the art of quilting. We celebrate our heritage in the needle arts through the charitable giving of quilts.
We teach, create, giveaway and collect.
History A tea in honor of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr in January, and followed by an exhibit during Black History Month in February 1988, were the events which paved the way to organizing the African American Quilters and Collectors Guild. We are individuals who share an interest in recognizing and promoting the achievements African American Quilters. The African American Quilters and Collectors Guild was formally organized on Saturday, September 17, 1988 at the Ford Warren Library in Historic Five Points in Denver, Colorado. Since that time we have broaden our mission to include the charitable qiving of quilts. As a result, we have given away over 1000 quilts nationwide since 1989.
Dedicated To Sammie Mae Cross, Juanita Gray, Rose E. Shipp, Dorothy Stevens, and Elizabeth Weeams
Goals To increase the awareness of African America heritage in the needle arts by the charitable giving of quilts and by educating the general public in quilt making.
To celebrate local heritage with the identification and recognition of folk artists involved in quilting and other home based textile arts and crafts.
To educate the general public in ethnic quilt-making traditions as well as contemporary techniques in quilt making.
To establish a permanent data file which documents quilts made and owned by African American quilters and collectors.
To become part of a network of African American quilters nationwide with the intention of sharing information and our experiences.
